Circuit-controller.



G. C. KN'AUFF.

cmcun CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 29, I914.

1,23 1 ,268. Patented June' 26, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET l- V' F /f 35 W UQQZZ G. C. KNAUFF.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-29.1914.

1,231,268. Patented June 26, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE" C. KNAUFF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

Application filed October 29, 1914. Serial No. 869,199.

the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to electric circuit controllers, and more particularly to sockets or connectors for controlling the light of one or more incandescent lamps. Appliances of this kind have heretofore been so constructed that a single circuit could be controlled by the same, so as to enable such a device to be used for switching a single la p on or off. Where more than twocircu ts were involved, it has been necessary either to use a number of such appliances, or to supplement them by means of an auxiliary switch, or to use a comparatively complicated and expensive switching mechanism.

The general object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheaply constructed and easily manipulated socket or connector which will effect a closing of either'of two circuits, or the opening of both thereof. Further objects are to provide a socket or connector in 'which a readily detachable wire terminal plug may perform the said switching functions by merely being rotated within the casing of the socket, and in which the said plug will be firmly locked in any of the three positions in which it performs its said functions. Still other objects will be apparent from the following specification and fromthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view showing an automobile reflector equipped with two lamps connected to a battery circuit controlled by a connector embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the circuit connections of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged outline view of the connector of Fig. 1, showing the connections thereto. Fig. 4 is an enlarged forward end View of the movable plug of the said connector. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the connector of Fig. 3, with the plug removed therefrom, this section being along the line 5-5. Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams similar to Fig. 2 but showing the circuit connections when the plug is in its two other positions. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a single lamp as controlled both for its full candle power and for dimmed candle power, by a connector similar to Fig. 3 but with the terminals of the plug short-circuited. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a single lamp controlled for full and for dimmed candle power by the connector of Fig. 3.

. While my invention may be embodied in many different forms and used for many different purposes, it is particularly adapted for use'in controlling the lights used upon automobiles, where the regulations in larger cities require that the lights shall be of less intensity when used on city streets than that adequate upon country roads. For this purpose, it has already become customary either to use a pair of lamps of different candle power (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) or to use a single lamp in connection with a resistance which may be switched into or out of circuit. My invention is shown in the drawings as used for both of these purposes, to which it lends itself with equal facility. In most of the embodiments here disclosed, the connector of my invent-ion consists essentially of a cylindrical casing 1 housing an insulating body 2 in which are embedded three wire terminals 3, 4 and 5. These terminals are disposed parallel to the axis of the casing and so arranged that the spacing between the intermediate terminal 3 and'each of the other terminals 4 and 5 will be exactly the same; they also are each equipped with plungers 6 pressed forward bysprings 7 and projecting beyond the inner end of the said insulating body 2, toward the rear end of the casing 1. This rear end ofthe casing is equipped with a pair of diametrically opposite slot formations comprising entrance slots 8 extending longitudinally of the casing, and transverse slots 9 extending circumferentially, of the casing, each of the said transverse slots being equipped with three notches or enlargements 10, 11 and 12, all directed toward the rear ends of the casing. The slots 8 and 9 are of suflicient width to readily pass the tips of an anchoring pin 13 extending transversely through the insulating body 14, of a plug 15, which plug carries a pair of wire terminals 16 and 17 spaced by thesame distance as that between the terminal 3 and either of the other two terminals mounted in the insulating body 2. The forward or exposed ends of the terminals 16 and 17 arepreferably flush with the forward surface of the plug 14:; so that when the said plug is inserted in the slotted end of the casing, it may be freely rotated, as the tips of the spring plungers 6 will thenride freely over the terminals 16 and 17 or the forward end portion of the plug body 1 1, according to the relative positions of the plug with respect to the casing. The notches 10, 11 and 12 are so disposed with respect to the terminals of the two connector parts that when engaged by the anchoring pin 13, they will define three distinct positions, in one of which the plug terminals contact with the wire terminals 3 and 5 (as shown in Fig. 2), thereby closing the circuit from a battery 26 to the larger lamp 27. When the pin 13 is engaged with the notch at the other extreme end of the transverse slot 9, it brings the contact parts into the positions of Fig. 6, thereby closing the circuit through the smaller lamp 28; while the intermediate notch corresponds to Fig 7 in which the plungers of the connector are entirely out of contact with the wire terminals of the plug, so that both lamps are discon nected from the battery. In each case, the

spring-pressed plungers 6 engage face portions of the plug member of the device and thereby force the plug toward the rear of the casing, so as to cause the pin 13 firmly 5 to interlock with one pair of the notches. Consequently,'the plug will readily be held in one of its said three positions, although it can be instantly moved from one to another by a simple partial rotation of the I 5. plug 15.

Instead of using two lamps of different candle power in the reflector, the same general purpose may be accomplished as in Fig. 8 by using a single lamp 27 having one terminal permanentlyconnected to the terminal 3 of the connector through a circuit include ing a battery 20. The other terminal of the lamp is connected to the terminal 4 through a low resistance circuit 19, and to the'ter- 6Q minal 5 through a circuit 21 including a resistance 22. Thenthe plug 23 has its terminals 16 and 17 short-circuitedby a metallic connection 24. By placing this plug so that its tips contact respectively with the 5 terminals 3 and 4, the battery circuit will connections as shown in Fig. 9, thus conit being evident that thesame might be varent-cohsuming devices with the said source.

be completed through the lamp and the low resistance wire 19, thereby burning the lamp at its full intensity. However, by opposlng ,the plug contacts to the terminals 3 and 5,

the battery circuit will be closed through the g resistance 22, thereby dimming the lamp.

This latter purpose may also be accomplished by using a connector plug arranged just as pictured in Fig. 3, but altering the 175 necting the battery 20 to two relatively insulated terminals 16 and 17, while still leaving the resistance 22 in the circuit leading from the terminal 5 to one terminal of the lamp. In this case, connecting the plug terge minals to the terminals 3 and 1 will burn the lamp at full brightness, while connecting the former to the terminals 3 and 5 will dim the lamp. While I have pictured and described my invention as applied to controlling automobile lamps, and as embodied in a connector having a cylindrical casing, I do not wish to be limited either to this particular purpose or to the details herein disclosed,

96 ried'in many ways without departing-from the spirit of my invention I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, two separate electric lamps, a single rotatable-plug switch apart from the lamps but electrically connected with each of the lamps for controlling same, a" source of electrical supply connected with the plug of the switch and means for locking the plug of the switch in three different angular positions, one position connecting the said source with one of the said lamps for lighting same, another position connect ing the said source with the other said lamp for lighting same, and the third position disconnecting both of the said lamps from the said source whereby they are both extinguished.

2, In combination, two separate currentconsuming devices, a rotatable-plug switch apart from the said devices but electrically connected therewith for controlling same, a source of electrical supply connected with the said switch; and means for locking the plug of the switch in three different angular positions, two of the said positions connecting the said source respectively with the said current-consuming devices and the third position disconnecting both of the said cur- 3. In combination, a plurality of separate current-consuming devices, and a single switching device apart from and at some distance from the said current-consuming devices but electrically connected therewith for controlling same; the said switching dev1ce having a rotatable portion, a source of electrical supply connected with the said switching device; and means for locking the sa d rotatable portion of the said switching 130 device in a' plurality of difierent angular In testimony whereof I have signed my positions, one of the said positions disconname in presence of two subscribing Witnecting all of the said current-consuming denesses.

vices from the said source, and the other said GEORGE C. KNAUFF. 5 positions connecting the said, source with Witnesses:

the different said current-consuming devices ALBERT SCHIEIBLE,

respectively. M. M. BOYLE. 

